Moon Base

[CanisMajorTom]

I think the moon base that NASA is planning is well overdue.

I'm glad that they are finally doing this.

Having a permanently manned base on the moon will be awesome for our advancement.

As far as where on the moon, do they create the bases in direct sunlight or not? I'm thinking that using a crater for shade, but also where they could get solar power from would be practical. I couldn't find anything on google about this though. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Radar]

Be interesting to see how they go about this. Because it's absolute zero in the shade and extremely hot in the sun. So where and how they build this base will be awesome to see.

But even better would be doing some astrophotography or visual astronomy from the dark side of the moon.

You'd have earthlight interferring for some of it though.

And because there is no atmosphere you would probaby be able to see nice colours in most celestial objects.

[CanisMajorTom]

Average temperatures on the moon range from 123 C during the day. The night cools the surface to an average of -153 C. Those are very extreme temperature. The engineering that will be needed to create a comfortable living environment will be a challenge for NASA.

[Robert TG]

While the moon is close by, it is a very harsh enviroment to attempt a manned base. If the technology is found to make a permanent base on the moon, then we wll have the basis for a base almost anywhere in the solar system.

Mars would be much easier to make a base on, and we could do it with present technology.

But what would be the purpose of a manned moon base? A manned base is really not required to set up whatever equipment. This could be done on a long mission and return home. A permanent base will be costly, and that means taking money from many other proposed space missions.

Just a note, that the moon is too close to the Sun for it to get to absolute zero. Even deep space is a couple degrees K, from the backround radiation of the big bang.

[joe_smith]

I dont think the temp will be a problem for NASA but I think the life threatening levels of radiation will be, will be good to see if they can do it.

[Radar]

Welcome to the site Joe.

Apparently the radiation levels can be controlled is with the kind of insulation being used on their clothing and living structures.

I think astro biologists will play a big part in space colonization. I've read some info that genetic engineering will be so good in 50 years, that they will be able to engineer people's genes that will make them suited to space.

[AstroBob]

I think astro biologists will play a big part in space colonization. I've read some info that genetic engineering will be so good in 50 years, that they will be able to engineer people's genes that will make them suited to space.

This is already being done. Scientists have been genetically modifying crops to grow in extremely cold conditions, not for Earth, but for Mars. The doco I saw on this also said that genetically modifying humans for a Mars atmosphere was on the cards for a Mars mission.